With summer setting in, the demand for electricity has risen to an extent that most states have started resorting to heavy overdrawal from the power grid, ignoring the mandatory safety features.

According to sources, the demand for electricity from various states has increased on an average by 12 per cent and in some cases even by 20 per cent. The details were discussed at a meeting between Union Power Secretary Anil Razdan and state Government officials on Friday.

Razdan said priority must be given to drinking water supply, public utility services and other essential services wherever supply is less than the demand. He also asked the generating utilities, including NTPC and NHPC, to function at optimum levels to meet the demand.

Instead of resorting to load-shedding, states are overdrawing power. On several occasions, the frequency level of the power grid has dipped below the 49 Hz level, thereby putting the entire country at risk as this can lead to a complete power collapse. The frequency of the power grid needs to be maintained between 49 Hz to 50.5 Hz by calibrating the demand and supply of power.

In April, various load dispatch centres in northern and western zones issued around 137 overdrawal warnings to Uttar Pradesh, 104 such warnings to Rajasthan; 78 to Gujarat; 71 to Punjab and another 30 to Haryana.

Besides, states have also failed to meet their unscheduled inter exchange charges and had drawn up huge arrears. Officials said as against a national-wide demand of around 1,10,000 MW, only 87,000 MW could be met.

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